To some of us, the 2015 Pantone Color of the Year may have come as a bit of a let-down. After all, the past three years have given us such vivid and vibrant jewels as Tangerine (2012), Emerald (2013), and Radiant Orchid (2014)! While 2015 has brought us the far less flashy brownish-red Marsala. But Marsala has a unique appeal of it’s own. It’s a color whose depth and warmth has broad appeal in home decor, particularly because it combines so well with a wide range of colors to create beautiful harmonies. It lends a noble contrast to Cress Green and Medal Bronze, just as it adds a sober anchor when paired with Calypso Coral, Gold Earth and Golden Ochre.
Marsala has been described as a tasteful and unifying element, as opposed to the bold statement colors of recent Color of the Year picks like Emerald. But Marsala does make for an interesting accent color. It’s a real stand-out when it’s surrounded by cooler colors like Lilac Marble, Ashes of Roses, and Daybreak–all grey shades of lilac, and marries well with cool blues like Aqua and Teal. In these sorts of pairings, Marsala becomes the much needed earth tone to ground these colors into a cohesive harmony.
If you’re considering adding some Marsala to a decor project, it makes an incredible accent wall color, but there are less dramatic ways to work it into an interior. Smaller accent pieces and throw cushions are always a “cheap and cheerful” way to update a room, but don’t forget the art! Wall decor is one of the best ways to pull different color elements in a room together.
The splash of Marsala in Blushing Blooms by Natasha Barnes, may be all you need to create an up to date look, particularly in a kitchen or dining room.
Scroll down to view more images that feature Marsala, as well as a few that bring out Marsala’s best qualities!
The following pieces show how Marsala can work as a terrific anchor to a range of palettes. 
